West Ham receive injury boost ahead of Chelsea clash

West Ham have been given a welcome boost ahead of the trip to Chelsea this weekend with the news that defender Winston Reid will be fit enough to start the crucial Premier League game.

A victory over Guus Hiddink’s side, coupled with a loss for Manchester City in the Manchester derby, would see the Hammers move into the top four with just eight games of the season left to play.

Reid was substituted during the 1-1 draw with Manchester United at the weekend and it was originally feared that he’d re-aggravated the hamstring injury that had suffered against Liverpool in early February.

However, speaking to the official West Ham website, Stijn Vandenbroucke, the Hammers’ Head of Medical and Sports Science, explained that Reid’s substitution was made as a precaution and he says that the New Zealander will be fit for the weekend’s game at Stamford Bridge.

Winston Reid came off during Sunday’s FA Cup tie at Manchester United. He had only trained for two days with the squad and, following discussions between the manager, the medical staff and the player himself, we took the calculated risk of playing him at Old Trafford. He played and came off as a precaution following some good communication between the staff and Winston and he has trained this week and will be available to face Chelsea on Saturday.

Reid’s availability will be most welcome for West Ham as James Collins is still out with a hamstring injury.